THE Northern Quarter development in Cinderford will get underway in phases, with a major new spine road spearheading the ambitious project.

The spine road – which could be in place by as early as 2015 – will run from the north-west corner of the site to the south, linking the A4136 with Broadmoor Road. It will provide better links with villages such as Drybrook and Ruardean Hill, while reducing traffic volumes through Steam Mills.

It will be a mixed use pedestrian friendly urban boulevard, with 'green corridors' and watercourses running through the development.

At its junction with Broadmoor Road, light traffic will be able to turn east towards Cinderford town centre while Heavy Goods Vehicles will be directed west towards Valley Road and Forest Vale Industrial Park.

The overall development – on the former Northern United Colliery site – will mean 245 new homes on the Steam Mills regeneration site and up to 175 more on the Cinderford side of the project.

For more on this story, read The Forester.